Paul Edwards, who's better known as Pidge on BBC Three show People Like Us, was caught with a dealer's 'toolbox' and has admitted dealin cannabis to pay drug debts

Paul Edwards, from BBC Three's People Like Us leaving Manchester Magistrates Court

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

A star of a controversial documentary about one of Manchester’s most deprived estates has admitted dealing cannabis to help pay off his drug debts.

Paul Edwards – better known as ‘Pidge’ on BBC Three show People Like Us – was caught with a dealer’s ‘toolbox’ containing cannabis, snap bags and a blacklist of customers who owed him money.

Police also reported a strong smell of cannabis after raiding Edwards’ home on Brentford Street, Harpurhey, which was dubbed ‘an anti-social hotspot’ by the fly-on-the-wall series.

But Edwards said that having since left Harpurhey he was a ‘changed man’ and is now drug-free and holding down a job at a market stall in Middleton.

The 21-year-old declared himself the ‘neighbour from hell’ during the six-part reality show and was featured in an eviction feud with landlord Nik Taylor – who owns six properties on the street.

He was also seen openly talking about his cannabis use.

The terrace property was raided on December 21 last year and Edwards immediately admitted dealing the drug. Texts on his mobile were also found to relate to dealing activities.

Addressing Manchester magistrates, Edwards, of Hollin Lane, Middleton, said he had been able to make a ‘fresh start’ after leaving Harpurhey and regretted his previous drug-fuelled lifestyle.

He said: “I’ve moved four miles away from where I used to live and I’ve left that life behind. I want to be a man and take on some responsibility and be happy. I know the damage that drugs can do and I don’t want to be a part of that any more. I feel like I have a lot to live for now.”

Tess Kenyon, prosecuting, said: “Officers were of the opinion he was dealing to fund his own habit and to pay off his debts. I don’t think Mr Edwards could say he doesn’t have any knowledge of where he was in the chain of supply and it would be fair to say he was somewhere between a significant and lesser role.”

Cannabis found in the plastic container was separated into five £10 packages and the blacklist contained around a dozen names of drug-related creditors.

Handing him a three-month curfew plus £140 in costs and a victim surcharge, chair of the bench Stephen Palmer, said “You have been selling drugs on the street when you have had your own experience of the damage they can do. You know what you have done to other people by supplying these drugs even though we are looking at you having a had a lesser role.”